The Primary Navigation Bar is located directly under the Image Bar. This navigation is best used on large sites with extensive content. The Primary Navigation Bar uses dynamic menus for quick access to specific internal pages.

When the links on the Primary Navigation Bar correspond with photos in the Image Bar, the BU Core Design also employs a graphic indicator above the photo. This small red line shows up above the photo when the visitor is browsing pages within that area. The SmartNav System is used to trigger this indicator graphic.

Variations

1) No Primary Navigation Bar -- For sites with fewer pages that do not contain deep content areas, the Primary Navigation Bar can be eliminated from Core Design-based templates and the Content Navigation component will serve as the site's primary navigation menu (such as University Relations).

2) Primary Navigation Bar without Dynamic Menus -- The Primary Navigation Bar with dynamic menus was designed to provide users with quick access to a lot of navigation options. But if your site is smaller and offers fewer pages, the Primary Navigation Bar can be used without the dynamic menus. Simply remove the arrowhead above the text label to indicate your navigation options do not include dynamic menus.

For a consistent user experience on your site, it is important not to mix and match Primary Nav Bar elements with and without dynamic menus. Use the Primary Navigation Bar with all elements contain dynamic menus OR use the PNB with all elements containing no dynamic menus.

• Title Bar
• Image Bar
• Primary Navigation Bar
• Secondary Navigation Bar
• Content Navigation
• Content Area
• BU Help Bar
• Page Signature

NIS  |  OIT  |   August 22, 2006